2012: Year of the Gays

[TriflinThomas]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/02/anderson-cooper-comes-out-gay_n_1643276.html?ir=Media&utm_hp_ref=media

I've noticed that a lot of famous people have been coming out lately. Why do you think that is? And, what effects will it have on the politics of this country?

 

[ProxyAmenRa]

Hopefully it will not affect politics.

 

[crippli]

Doubt it. What I need to know are some numbers. How many famous people there are, how many are gay, and how many are coming out.

No effect. That they are famous will have an effect, unfortunately. But I think we are beyond the stage where we let sexuality influence our decisions in politics, as long as what one prefer is legal.

 

[Pizzabeak]

Pretty much. It's just their turn. First it was women, blacks; etc

Pretty soon they'll get the right to marry anywhere then they'll be considered "normal", but it'll take some years for societies to get used to it. There'll still some be homophobes (like racists) here and there, there's nothing you can really do about that, I think.

 

[ObliviousGenius]

I would think that homosexuals feel safer about coming out because there is a society for them. In Chicago the entire northside is filled with gays/lesbians. It's not just a sexual preference anymore but a way of life. Homosexuality is getting more and more accepted, even in some churches...some. They're also putting their imprint on the media especially. They even have their own channel.

 

[Jaffa]

Here in Britain there's currently been some discussions in Parliament about Gay Marriage. Currently, same-sex couples can have a 'Civil partnership' but they aren't allowed to marry.

Parliament are discussing the idea of gay marriage and the Church seems to be flailing it's arms around in the air, trying it's best to intervene.

I'm all for gay marriage.

If a man is genuinely attracted to another man, I do not see how this can be an issue of anybody else. Even if it were a crime, it is one of the very few victimless crimes.

It is good for the gay community that celebrities are coming 'out of the closet'. Good on them.

 

[Jennywocky]

It think it used to be a huge deal when someone came out.
Nowadays, it's not a big deal at all.

That kind of sums up the direction that things have gone.

I'm all for gay marriage.
If a man is genuinely attracted to another man, I do not see how this can be an issue of anybody else.

I agree.

It is good for the gay community that celebrities are coming 'out of the closet'. Good on them.

I think much of the progress made (and why things seem to be irrevocably shifting toward acceptance) is because gays now have a "face" with hets -- pretty much everyone knows someone else who is gay, and/or they know a gay couple, and they're observing how that couple is like any other legitimate couple out there.

Hence, there's nothing to fear.

 

[HiddenScholar]

I think its kind of sad how someone would go on T.V. and publicly announce the fact that they're homosexual.... while for the most part I blame our society for casting a group of people no different then ourselves (i dont like how i phrased that but oh well) into the spot light, i also feel that some of them are crying out for attention (im refering to celebreties)

 

[Trebuchet]

A lot of the celebrities seem to be coming out as a gesture of solidarity. If they come out, maybe some of their fans who are gay will feel more comfortable with themselves. Maybe some of their homophobic fans will reconsider their stand. Maybe it will feel more normal, as more people come out.

Clearly it takes courage to come out, but less now that it used to. That is largely because the courage of those who came out first made it easier.

Maybe some just want attention, but I think most either want to be themselves in public or are trying to help others.

I suspect it will affect politics strongly, but in a good way, as anti-gay crusaders stop taking up so much time and money in the political arena.

 

[crippli]

Clearly it takes courage to come out, but less now that it used to. That is largely because the courage of those who came out first made it easier.

I wouldn't do it in Iran, or any of those countries.

I think on at least half the populated part of the planet one should think twice about coming out still, preferably, not think about it at all.

Famous people are privileged and protected. The lady next door isn't. Coming out can still easily end up in a coffin. It just takes one angry drunken bully, or an religious sober nut case, or total freeze out and suicide.

Actually, famous people are in a very good position to come out. Their carrer will probably take a hit, but that's probably it.

 

[scorpiomover]

I've noticed that a lot of famous people have been coming out lately. Why do you think that is?

I don't know. But the rest of the world, from Ireland, to Japan, seems to be saying that everything is changing, because hardly anyone has work, and there's not nearly as much money around as there used to be.

What ways do people react to news of being gay?

What ways do people react when they are hungry?

What happens when you combine the two?

And, what effects will it have on the politics of this country?

The arts, that is, TV, radio, drama, films, is well-known to be so full of gays, that being straight is abnormal in those industries. One difference here, is that before, it used to be well-known, but not said, and not in your face, and now, it's well-known, and being said, and in your face.

Your country got bombed ONCE in the last 50 years. You spent the next 10 years bombing the Middle East.

The time before that, you utterly destroyed Japan, and brought nuclear destruction into the world.

It seems that when anything hits the American radar, Americans go to an extreme of an extreme.

Comprende?

 

[Trebuchet]

I wouldn't do it in Iran, or any of those countries.

I think on at least half the populated part of the planet one should think twice about coming out still, preferably, not think about it at all.

Famous people are privileged and protected. The lady next door isn't. Coming out can still easily end up in a coffin. It just takes one angry drunken bully, or an religious sober nut case, or total freeze out and suicide.

Actually, famous people are in a very good position to come out. Their carrer will probably take a hit, but that's probably it.

I agree completely. I still think the celebrities who do come out, because, as you say, they are somewhat protected, will have a positive effect.

I've seen people act like they know celebrities, even though they don't, because they read autobiographies or watched shows about celebrities tracing their ancestry, or whatever. It makes some people feel like the celebrities are their friends. That is pretty powerful. (I'm not crazy about how much celebrities influence thought but it is what it is. At least there is a silver lining here.)

It is certainly not safe worldwide for someone to come out. It isn't even truly safe for celebrities, though it is safer. Little by little, that is changing, even if it isn't as fast as I'd like.

 

[introverted_thinker]

Maybe some want attention...not sure. For those who are gay, good on them.
Then again, no-one can be sure that they're straight or gay. Perhaps we're all bisexual. Or even pansexual. Hmm.

 

[Architect]

Next up: Atheism.

We're at where gays were years ago, when they first started asserting themselves publicly. It's not really socially acceptable to say you're an atheist, but we're getting there.

 

[crippli]

I agree completely. I still think the celebrities who do come out, because, as you say, they are somewhat protected, will have a positive effect.

I've seen people act like they know celebrities, even though they don't, because they read autobiographies or watched shows about celebrities tracing their ancestry, or whatever. It makes some people feel like the celebrities are their friends. That is pretty powerful. (I'm not crazy about how much celebrities influence thought but it is what it is. At least there is a silver lining here.)

It is certainly not safe worldwide for someone to come out. It isn't even truly safe for celebrities, though it is safer. Little by little, that is changing, even if it isn't as fast as I'd like.

I agree. Idols have powerful influence. I do think it is important that one is not ashamed and tries to hide. That will fuel ones rightiousness. Just the fact that one can come out, means there is an issue.

Maybe some want attention...not sure. For those who are gay, good on them.
Then again, no-one can be sure that they're straight or gay. Perhaps we're all bisexual. Or even pansexual. Hmm.

It could be good for all people. Thriving gay people tend to be creative. Could be, and is, an asset to the rest of the population.

What I'm worried is that the gay people become normal. I think it's the hardship that create some of these great personalities. I suspect they will be less in the future, like less great gays. But perhaps that is for the best, at least it's more fair.

 

[Melkor]

Heh.

Not really worthy of headlines I should think. If anything I'd suspect that such antics will only harden stereotypes and emphasise 'differences'. After all, straight/asexual/pansexual people don't really need to announce themselves, they just go about with it, thus making that the 'established' behaviour and making any who do otherwise seem a little bizarre.-_-

 

[TriflinThomas]

Next up: Atheism.

We're at where gays were years ago, when they first started asserting themselves publicly. It's not really socially acceptable to say you're an atheist, but we're getting there.

Yes, please. I was about to start a post on how many generations it will take before Christianity becomes like the old religions. I say about 4-7 generations.

 

[TriflinThomas]

I don't know. But the rest of the world, from Ireland, to Japan, seems to be saying that everything is changing, because hardly anyone has work, and there's not nearly as much money around as there used to be.

What ways do people react to news of being gay?

What ways do people react when they are hungry?

What happens when you combine the two?

The arts, that is, TV, radio, drama, films, is well-known to be so full of gays, that being straight is abnormal in those industries. One difference here, is that before, it used to be well-known, but not said, and not in your face, and now, it's well-known, and being said, and in your face.

Your country got bombed ONCE in the last 50 years. You spent the next 10 years bombing the Middle East.

The time before that, you utterly destroyed Japan, and brought nuclear destruction into the world.

It seems that when anything hits the American radar, Americans go to an extreme of an extreme.

Comprende?

They all deserved what they had coming to them! jk jk it's not the entire american populace, it's just the american extremists. American extremists are the most cunning as they favor using the spineless government as their main tool of oppression.

 

[Trebuchet]

It could be good for all people. Thriving gay people tend to be creative. Could be, and is, an asset to the rest of the population.

I haven't noticed that my gay friends are any more creative than my straight friends. (I realize that is anecdotal evidence, not real evidence.) This being an INTP forum, though, I would offer the idea that personality type has more influence on creativity than sexual orientation.

What I'm worried is that the gay people become normal. I think it's the hardship that create some of these great personalities. I suspect they will be less in the future, like less great gays. But perhaps that is for the best, at least it's more fair.

I wouldn't worry about that. There will always be hardship. But oppressing any group of people diminishes everyone.

Next up: Atheism.

We're at where gays were years ago, when they first started asserting themselves publicly. It's not really socially acceptable to say you're an atheist, but we're getting there.

There's some truth to that. I'm not sure it is an exact parallel, but atheists are certainly oppressed and mistrusted and hated, so there is enough similarity. I suspect it isn't a choice, either. I have known a couple of Catholic priests who lost their faith, and they really, really didn't want to.

I don't know any statistics on how often atheists get beat up or killed or jailed for it. They don't get elected to public office in the US, certainly.

I thought at first this was off-topic, and wasn't going to respond, and then I decided that it is on-topic if we are discussing gays as an unpopular minority slowly gaining acceptance.

 

[intpz]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/...-gay_n_1643276.html?ir=Media&utm_hp_ref=media

I've noticed that a lot of famous people have been coming out lately. Why do you think that is? And, what effects will it have on the politics of this country?

Well, you know, someone scratches his ass in the bus stop, another guy freer guy will do it, the next minute 10 people will be scratching their cracks at the same time!

P.S. Just take a moment and try to imagine exactly 10 people standing in the buss stop and scratching their assholes. Just for the sake of this great example. *hopes somebody's gonna eat soon*

Anyway, I don't care, as long as they don't ask me out or use lipstick and idiotic accent. I don't think it will affects the politics, media on the other hand...

 

[scorpiomover]

Next up: Atheism.

We're at where gays were years ago, when they first started asserting themselves publicly. It's not really socially acceptable to say you're an atheist, but we're getting there.

And the Muslims are now, where you were years ago. After you get there, the Muslims get there.

 

[Architect]

Yeah, it's not an exact parallel as atheists don't generally get beat up. Did a lot of gays get beat up and such?

Anyhow I'm looking forward to a time when people don't give a fuck what you think.

 

[scorpiomover]

Yeah, it's not an exact parallel as atheists don't generally get beat up. Did a lot of gays get beat up and such?

Some do. But from what they've said, compared to what straight people said, no more than anyone else.

Anyhow I'm looking forward to a time when people don't give a fuck what you think.

You mean when people don't give a fuck what I think? Most people already don't give a fuck what I think. Politicians also don't care what I think, as what I think is usually against the majority anyway.

You mean when people don't give a fuck what anyone else thinks? Most people already don't give a fuck what anyone else thinks. They care what other people will DO. Politicians DO care what most people think, as that represents what most people will vote. That will only change, when we do away with representational democracy. Then no-one will care what you think either.

 

[inner_mind]

There's some truth to that. I'm not sure it is an exact parallel, but atheists are certainly oppressed and mistrusted and hated, so there is enough similarity.

Finally something that Australia is light years ahead in. Here, I would say most people do believe in God, but I have never felt any particular stigma because I am an athiest. Out current Prime Minister is an athiest. She is not the first.

Being gay, unfortuately, still has a long way to go for full acceptance.

I think famous people 'coming out' is pretty important, for reasons already stated, namely role models for other gay people, and for straight people to understand that gay people are ordinary. Even though surely it is also pretty much a non-event, it is still important.

Anyway, I don't care, as long as they don't ask me out or use lipstick and idiotic accent.

So what if they ask you out? I've never understood this particularly fear. Several gay men have hit on my (male) partner. He just tells them no. It's really no big deal.

I don't really understand your other conditions either. You are the fashion police?

 

[Architect]

Most people already don't give a fuck what anyone else thinks. They care what other people will DO. Politicians DO care what most people think, as that represents what most people will vote. That will only change, when we do away with representational democracy. Then no-one will care what you think either.

Ah! Interesting point. Yes people don't care what others think except when it comes to ideology. Go out in a crowd and say "I think the weather is getting colder" and nobody cares. Do the same and say "I think the Democrats are going to burn because they hate god" and see what you get.

Personally I find ideology the most dangerous idea in the world. I do my best to be free of any ideology, and do a pretty good job of it I think.

 

[intpz]

Ah! Interesting point. Yes people don't care what others think except when it comes to ideology. Go out in a crowd and say "I think the weather is getting colder" and nobody cares. Do the same and say "I think the Democrats are going to burn because they hate god" and see what you get.

Personally I find ideology the most dangerous idea in the world. I do my best to be free of any ideology, and do a pretty good job of it I think.

Isn't an ideology that free will is important is an ideology as well?

 

[HiddenScholar]

i think ideology its self is not inherently good or bad but should be based on its merits
the problem is when people grow too attached to it that they refuse to see any other veiws... especially when they join together and a mob mentality takes hold

 

[cerebedlam]

I think that 2012 is Year of the Dragon...At least, that's what this takeout menu says.

 

[snafupants]

Planet of the Queers, directed by John Waters.

 

[RedN]

i am gay

 

[Thurlor]

It's another form of bigotry that will hopefully fade out with the rest of them.